Vacuum table top



Nov. 10, 1964 Filed Nov. '7, 1962 E. C. WEAVER VACUUM TABLE TOP 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. f/mer C. weaver BY W AT TORNEY Nov. 10, 1964 E. c. WEAVER 3,156,462

' VACUUM TABLE TOP Filed Nov. 7, 1962 2 Sheets$heet 2 INVENTOR. 55!;14. jf/mer CT weaver BY Q 66%? ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,156,462 VACUUM TABLE TQP Elmer C. Weaver, 2097 Lalreview Drive, Kalamazoo, Mich. Filed Nov. 7, 1962, Ser. No. 236,968 13 Claims. (Cl. 269-21) This invention relates to vacuum holders. The main objects of this invention are,

First, to provide a vacuum holder adapted for holding sheet material and the like which is a complete unitary structure.

Second, to provide a vacuum holder having these advantages which may be shifted or translated with a sheet or the like mounted thereon.

Third, to provide a structure having these advantages which is relatively economical to produce and is conveniently and rapidly adjusted from holding to released position, and vice versa.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a vacuum holder embodying my invention with the vacuum diaphragm in retracted position, a printing screen being conventionally illustrated in adjusted position by full lines and in retracted position by dotted lines.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section on a line corresponding to line 22 of FIG. 1, the actuating lever however being shown in its actuated position by full lines, whereas it is shown in retracted position in FIG. 1 and is shown in retracted position by dotted lines.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating structural details of the vacuum release valve, the footpiece being shown in actuated position by full lines and in retracted position by dotted lines.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged horizontal section on a line corresponding to line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary View on a line corresponding to line 5-5 of FIG. 3, illustrating further structural details.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated comprises a rectangular top frame, designated generally by the numeral 1, and formed of angle iron disposed in outwardly facing relation. The legs 2 are fixedly secured to this frame and are provided with horizontally disposed brace members 3 disposed in downwardly spaced relation to the top frame, this brace unit being desirably of inwardly and downwardly facing angle section, as is illustrated.

The bed member 4 includes a foraminate inner portion 5 and an imperforate outer frame portion 6 which surrounds the foraminate portion and is supportedly mounted and desirably fixedly secured to the top frame 1, the securing means not being illustrated as it will be understood that it varies according to the material used for the bed member.

A smooth sheet 7 secured on the bed member is perforated with the bed. The diaphragm of flexible material is disposed with its edges 9 in underlapping relation to the imperforate portion 6 of the bed member and is fixedly secured thereto by the members it see FIG. 2. The details of securing these parts are not illustrated, but they may be in the form of screws, but the securing means is such as to clampingly engage the edges of the diaphragm. This flexible diaphragm is dimensioned so that it may be collapsed against the underside of the bed member, as is illustrated in FIG. 1, or extended as is illustrated in FIG. 2. It will be understood that this 3,156,452 Patented Nov. 10, 1964 diaphragm is not adjusted to its extended position until a piece of work 73. has been placed on the sheet 7 in closing relation to the foraminate part of the bed member so that when the diaphragm is actuated to the position shown in FIG. 2 a vacuum is created and the work is clampingly held as a result of the vacuum against the bed member. The diaphragm is manually adjusted to actuated position shown in FIG. 2 by means of the foot actuated lever 11 which is pivotally mounted at 12 on the hanger 13 which is secured to the bracket 14 on the inner side of the top frame member and further supported by the inwardly projecting bracket 15 to which it is secured by the rive-t or pin 16-, the end of the member 13 projecting below the bracket 15.

in the embodiment illustrated, this actuating lever is yieldably or springably connected to the diaphragm by means which actuates the diaphragm t3. It should be understood that this connecting means is not only adapted to extend the diaphragm to actuated position, but to retracted position also, and this means comprises the rodlike thrust member 17 which is fixedly connected to the outer coupling plate 18 secured to the underside of the diaphragm, there being an inn-er diaphragm supporting and coupling plate 19 on the inner side of the diaphragm. These parts 18 and 19 are, in the embodiment illustrated, adhesively secured at 2% to the diaphragm 8 and they are provided with a port Zili provided with a closure valve 22, see FIG. 3. The purpose of this port is to break the vacuum to allow the removal of the work sheet.

The depending member 17 is disposed in alignment with the actuating lever 11 so that when the actuating lever is returned by means of the spring 23 which is connected .to the outer portion of the lever and to the top frame, see FIG. 2, the diaphragm is forced to its retracted position indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 2.

In the embodiment illustrated, there are four springs 24 connected to the lever at 25 and to the rod 17 at 26, see FIGS. 1 and 2. t will be understood that the numbers of these springs may be varied, but the general arrangement of the parts is highly desirable.

It will be understood that the lever is not actuated until a sheet to be supported has been placed on the bed member in covering relation to the foraminations therein so that when the lever is actuated a vacuum is created between the bed member and the diaphragm to firmly hold the sheet on the bed member. The actuating lever 11 is held in its actuated position by the detent 27 which is pivotally mounted on the frame 3 at 28 and is urged into engaging position by means of the spring 2?, see FIG. 2. In its actuated position it engages the keeper fail on the actuating lever so that the diaphragm is automatically held in its actuated position.

In the embodiment illustrated, the actuating lever 11 is provided with a detent-disengaging footpiece 31 which is pivotally mounted on the end of the lever at 32 for tilting adjustment, as is indicated by dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 3, and shown by full lines in FIG. 2 in retracted position, and in FIG. 3 in actuated position. This tiltable footpiece also serves to open the valve 22, being connected thereto by the rod 33 connected to the arm 34 on the footpiece and to the valve, see FIG. 3, the bracket 35 constituting a seat for the valve closing spring 36.

In the embodiment illustrated, the rod or coupling wire is provided with a coiled supporting member 37 which is supportedly mounted at its inner end to the bracket 35 which is provided with a socket 3% receiving the end of the member 37, its outer end being supportedly connected to the actuating lever by the clip 39.

It should be understood that the entire unit described is portable both in its non-use position or without the material being clamped thereto, and with the parts in actuated position as indicated in FIG. 2. The material '7 is placed on the bed member as indicated in FlG. 2 and with the parts as indicated by dotted lines in that figure, the actuating lever is then actuated to the position shown by full lines, the detent automatically engages the lever. The operator of the lever can then move about to work on the sheet or other work, and when it is desired to release the sheet all that is necessary is to tilt the footpiece to the position indicated by dotted lines and that releases the detent, and the diaphragm is automatically retracted by the spring 23. However, it will be understood that the lever might be manually retracted but the automatic spring retracting means is highly desirable as all the operator has to do is to place the material on the bed member to cover the foraminate portion thereof and actuate the lever from the dotted position shown in FIG. 2 to the full line position. This results in creating a vacuum to clampingly hold the material to the bed member, and to release the material all that is necessary is to tilt the footpiece 31 from the position shown by full lines in FIG. 2 to the position shown by full lines in FIG. 3.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a highly practical embodiment thereof. 1 have not attempted to illustrate modifications or adaptations, as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A structure of the class described comprising a top frame member, legs therefor, horizontally disposed cross members connecting said legs in downwardly spaced relation to said top frame member, a bed member comprising a perforated portion and an imperforate portion surrounding said perforated portion and supportedly mounted on and secured to said top frame member, a flexible diaphragm having outer portions thereof disposed on the underside of the said imperforate portion of said bed member and supportedly and sealingly associated therewith and dimensioned to permit adjustment thereof to and from said bed member, inner and outer coupling plates disposed centrally of said diaphragm and fixedly connected thereto and having an air inlet port therein, a spring actuated valve for said port disposed on the outer side of said coupling plates, an actuating lever disposed laterally of and pivotally mounted on said frame, a lever retracting spring connected thereto and to said frame, a rod-like thrust member dependingly mounted on said outer coupling plate in vertical alignment with said actuating lever to be actuated thereby when the lever is retracted, a coiled spring connected to said thrust member and to said actuating lever and acting to actuate said diaphragm to extended position when said actuating lever is actuated,

a spring biased detent mounted on said frame to engage 1 said lever when it is in its actuated position, and a footpiece tiltably mounted on said actuating lever and having opening and closing connection to said valve and opera tively associated with said detent.

2. A structure of the class described comprising a top frame member, legs therefor, horizontally disposed cross members connecting said legs in downwardly spaced relation to said top frame member, a bed member comprising a perforated portion and an imperforate portion surrounding said perforated portion and supportedly mounted on and secured to said top frame member, a nexible diaphragm having outer portions thereof disposed on the underside of the said imperforate portion of said bed member and supportedly and sealingly associated there with and dimensioned to permit adjustment thereof to and from said bed member, inner and outer coupling plates disposed centrally of said diaphragm and fixedly connected thereto and having an air inlet port therein, a spring actuated valve for said port disposed on the outer side of said coupling plates, an actuating lever disposed laterally of and pivotally mounted on said frame, a rod-like thrust member dependingly mounted on said outer coupling plate in vertical alignment with said actuating lever to be actuated thereby when the lever is retracted, and a spring connected to said thrust member and to said actuating lever and acting to actuate said diaphragm to extended position when said actuating lever is actuated.

3. A structure of the class described comprising a frame including a top member, a bed member comprising a perforated portion and an imperforate portion surrounding its perforated portion mounted on said top frame member, a flexible diaphragm having outer portions thereof disposed on the underside of the said imperforate portion of said bed member and sealingly associated therewith and dimensioned to permit adjustment thereof to and from said bed member, inner and outer coupling plates disposed centrally of said diaphragm and fixedly connected thereto and having an air inlet port therein, a spring actuated valve for said port disposed on the outer side of said coupling plates, a manually actuated spring retracted actuating lever adiustably mounted on said frame, a thrust member dependingly mounted on said outer coupling plate to be actuated by said lever when the lever is retracted, and a spring connected to said thrust member and to said actuating lever and acting to actuate said diaphragm to extended position when said actuating lever is actuated.

4. A structure of the class described comprising a frame including a top member, a bed member comprising a perforated portion and an imperforate portion surrounding its perforated portion mounted on said top frame member, a flexible diaphragm having outer portions thereof disposed on the underside of the said imperforate portion of said bed member and sealingly associated therewith and dimensioned to permit adjustment thereof to and from said bed member, a coupling member on said diaphragm having an air inlet port therein, a valve for said port, a manually actuated spring retracted actuating lever adjustably mounted onsaid frame, a thrust member dependingly mounted on said outer coupling plate to be actuated by said lever when the lever is retracted, and a spring connected to said thrust member and to said actuating lever and acting to actuate said diaphragm to extended position when said actuating lever is actuated.

5. A structure of the class described comprising a frame including a top member, a bed member comprising a perforated portion and an imperforate portion surrounding its perforated portion mounted on said top frame member, a flexible diaphragm having outer portions thereof disposed on the underside of the said imperforate portion of said bed member and sealingly associated therewith and dimensioned to permit adjustment thereof to and from. said bed member, a coupling memher on said diaphragm having an air inlet port therein, a valve for said port, a manually actuated spring retracted actuating clever adjustably mounted on said frame, a

thrust member dependingly mounted on said outer coupling plate to the actuated by said lever when the lever is retracted, a spring connected to said thrust member and to said actuating lever and acting to actuate. said diaphragm to extended position when said actuating lever is actuated, a detent member mounted on said frame to automatically engage said lever when it is in its actuated position, and a manually actuated trip member mounted on said actuating lever and operatively connected to said valve and associated with said detent.

6. A structure of the class described comprising a frame member provided with legs, a bed member'having 'a perforated inner portion and an imperforate portion surrounding said, perforated portion and supportedly ciated therewith and dimensioned to permit adjustment thereof to and from said bed member, a plate-like member areas-e2 disposed centrally of said diaphragm and having an inlet port therein, a valve for said port, a spring retracted actuating lever disposed laterally of and pivotally mounted on said frame, a thrust member dependingly mounted on said plate-like member in vertical alignment with said actuating lever to be actuated thereby when the actuating lever is retracted and actuate said diaphragm to retracted position, a springably yielding connnection to said thrust member and to said actuating lover, a detent member mounted on said frame to engage said lever when it is in its actuated position, and a footpiece adjustably mounted on said actuating lever and operatively associated with said detent and having opening and closing connection to said valve.

7. A structure of the class described comprising a frame member provided with legs, a bed member having a perforated inner portion and an imperforate portion surrounding said perforated portion and supportedly mounted on and secured to said top frame member, a flexible diaphragm having outer portions thereof disposed on the underside of the said imperforate portion of said bed member and supportedly and sealingly associated therewith and dimensioned to permit adjustment thereof to and from said bed member, a plate-like member disposed centrally of said diaphragm and having an inlet port therein, a valve for said port, an actuating lever disposed laterally of and pivotally mounted on said frame, a thrust member dependingly mounted on said plate-like member in vertical alignment with said actuating lever to be actuated thereby when the actuating lever is retracted and acuate said diaphragm on retracted position, and a springably yielding connection for said thrust member to said actuating lever.

8. A structure of the class described comprising a supporting frame provided with legs, a bed member supportedly mounted on said frame and having a forarninate face portion adapted to supportedly receive sheet material, a flexible dia hragm disposed on the underside of and adjustable to and from said bed member and having portions thereof sealingly engaged with said bed member in surrounding relation to its said foraminate portion, an automatically closing inlet valve mounted on said diaphragm, a spring retracted actuating lever mounted on said frame below said bed member, a thrust member depending from said diaphragm in coacting relation to said actuating lever to be actuated thereby when the actuating lever is retracted, and means including a springable extensible element for connecting said lever to said diaphragm, a detent mounted on said frame to automatically engage said lever when it is in its actuated position, and manually actuated means for simultaneously disengaging said detent and opening said valve.

9. A structure of the class described comprising a supporting frame provided with legs, a bed member supportedly mounted on said frame and having a forarninate face portion adapted to supportedly receive sheet material, a flexible diaphragm disposed on the underside of and adjustable to and from said bed member and having portions thereof sealingly engaged with said bed member in surrounding relation to its said foraminate portion, an automatically closing inlet valve mounted on said diaphragm, an actuating lever mounted on said frame below said bed member, a thrust member depending from said diaphragm in coasting relation to said actuating lever to be actuated thereby when the actuating lever is retracted, and means including a springable extensible element for connecting said lever to said diaphragm.

10. A structure of the class described comprising a supporting frame, a bed member mounted on said frame and having a foraminate portion adapted to supportedly receive material in closure relation to the foraminate portion thereof, a diaphragm disposed on the underside of and adjustable to and from said bed member and having portions thereof sealingly engaged with said bed member in surrounding relation to said foraminate portion thereof, a manually operable actuating member mounted on said frame, a thrust member mounted on said diaphragm in coacting relation to said actuating member to be actuated thereby when said actuating member is retracted, means including a springable extensible element for connecting said lever to said diaphragm, a manually releasable detent mounted on said frame to coact with said actuating member when it is in its actuated postion, an automatically closing inlet valve mounted on said diaphragm, and an adjustable footpiece on said actuating member operatively connected to said valve to open the same when said footpiece is adjusted to release said detent.

ll. A structure of the class described comprising a supporting frame, a bed member mounted on said frame and having a foraminate portion adapted to supportedly receive material in closure relation to the foraminate portion thereof, a diaphragm disposed on the underside of and adjustable to and from said bed member and having portions thereof sealingly engaged with said bed member in surrounding relation to said foraminate portion thereof, a manually operable actuating mern er mounted on said frame, a thrust member mounted on said diaphragm in. coacting relation to said actuating member to be actuated thereby when said actuating member is retracted, means including a springable extensible element for connecting said lever to said diaphragm, and a manually releasable detent mounted on said frame to enact with said actuating member when it is in its actuated position.

12. A structure of the class described comprising a supporting frame provided with legs, a bed member having a foraminate portion adapted to supportedly receive sheet material in closure relation to the forarninate portion thereof, a diaphragm disposed on the underside of and adjustable to and from said bed member and having portions thereof sealingly connected to said bed mem er in surrounding relation to its said foraminate portion, a manually operable actuating member mounted on said frame below said diaphragm and. operatively connected to said diaphragm to actuate and retract the same as said actuating member is adjusted to and from its actuated position, a manually releasable detent mounted on said frame to engage said diaphragm actuating member when it is in its actuated position, an automatically closing valve operatively associated with said diaphragm, and a footpiece on said actuating member operatively associated with said detent and operatively connected to said valve whereby said valve is opened on the releasing of said deten't.

13. A structure of the class described comprising a supporting frame, a bed member mounted on said frame and having a forarninate portion adapted to supportedly receive material in closure relation to the forarninate portion thereof, a diaphragm disposed on the underside of and adjustable to and from said bed member and having portions thereof sealingly engaged with said bed member in surrounding relation to said foraminate portion thereof, a manually operable actuating member mounted on said frame, a thrust member mounted on said diaphragm in coacting relation to said actuating member to be actuated thereby when said actuating member is retracted, and means including a springably extensible element for connecting said manually operable and actuating member to said diaphragm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 635,937 Lewis Oct. 31, 1899 1,062,579 Aylsworth May 27, 1913 2,089,714 Schuler Aug. 10, 1937 

13. A STRUCTURE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED COMPRISING A SUPPORTING FRAME, A BED MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AND HAVING A FORAMINATE PORTION ADAPTED TO SUPPORTEDLY RECEIVE MATERIAL IN CLOSURE RELATION TO THE FORAMINATE POR TION THEREOF, A DIAPHRAGM DISPOSED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF AND ADJUSTABLE TO AND FROM SAID BED MEMBER AND HAVING PORTIONS THEREOF SEALINGLY ENGAGED WITH SAID BED MEMBER IN SURROUNDING RELATION TO SAID FORAMINATE PORTION THEREOF, A MANUALLY OPERABLE ACTUATING MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, A THRUST MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID DIAPHRAGM IN 